Good news!
Besides providing free masks and hand sanitisers for our fight against COVID-19, the Temasek Foundation will be providing a free oximeter for every Singapore household.
This will allow Singaporeans to regularly monitor their blood oxygen levels regularly.
If you’re like me and you’re wondering what’s an oximeter and why do we need one, this 60-second guide’s for you!
TL;DR: Free Oximeter for Each Singapore Household: How, When and Where To Get It
| Free Oximeter: When, Where and How to Get It | |
|---|---|
| What is an Oximeter | Measures blood oxygen levels and pulse rates COVID-19 can cause blood oxygen to decrease to dangerously low levels and can be left undetected |
| Where Can I Collect the Oximeter? | Over 300 participating outlets, including Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian, NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Shiong, Unity, and Watsons outlets Residents must bring along the leaflet (with the redemption tab intact) |
| When Will I Receive the Leaflet? | Disributed to letterboxes between 28 Jun and 3 Jul 2021 |
| When Can I Collect The Oximeter? | 5 July to 5 Aug 2021 |
| How To Collect | Bring your Stay Prepared leaflet Present leaflet to the staff at the collection point Staff will tear off and keep the redemption tab |
What Does an Oximeter Do? Why Do We Need One?
An oximeter measures blood oxygen levels and pulse rates.
The COVID-19 virus can cause blood oxygen to plummet to dangerously low levels while an individual still feels well.
This can be left undetected, which is very dangerous as low oxygen levels could damage vital organs if left untreated.
Where Can I Collect the Oximeter?
Residents must bring the leaflet (with the redemption tab intact) to collection outlets to redeem the oximeters.
The oximeter can be collected at over 300 participating outlets, including Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian, NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Shiong, Unity, and Watsons outlets.
You can look for the nearest collection point here!
When Will I Receive the Leaflet?
The leaflet will be distributed to each household letterbox between 28 June and 3 July 2021.
When Can I Collect The Oximeter?
The collection will begin on 5 July and will end on 5 August.
(Note: There’s plenty of stock for everyone so please do not rush!)
Residents will be able to collect their oximeters during the participating outlets’ opening hours.
As the opening hours would vary according to each collection point, it is recommended to check the timings here before heading to collect the device.
How To Collect
The oximeter can be collected in 3 simple steps:
1) Bring your Stay Prepared leaflet that is mailed to your letterbox. Ensure that the Redemption tab is intact.
2) Present leaflet to the staff at the collection point.
Do note that photocopies, digital copies, and redemption tabs without barcodes fully intact will not be accepted.
3) Staff will tear off and keep the redemption tab as proof of redemption.
What’s Considered a Low Oxygen Level?
With the oximeter, we can now check our oxygen levels regularly.
Here’s a range of oxygen levels to consider:
| Oxygen Level | Things to Note |
|---|---|
| 95% to 100% | Normal |
| 90% to 94% | Call a doctor |
| <90% | Go to A&E immediately |
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) Pulse Oximetry Training Manual
Do note that oximeter readings may be inaccurate if you have trembling hands or are wearing nail varnish.
Some people may also have low oxygen levels, such as smokers, asthmatics, or patients with other medical conditions.
